History
The history of Sts. Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church at Cawaja Beach started with the first Ukrainian settlements not only at Cawaja Beach, but along Nottawasaga Bay from Wasaga Beach to Tiny Concession 18. In 1959, two employees of the Massey Ferguson plant in Toronto, Ivan Bochnewych and Nicholas Maryn bought lots at Cawaja Beach. They both built cottages the following year and subsequently invited many others of their Ukrainian friends to visit them and encouraged them to also buy property and build cottages.
Both Ivan Bochnewych and Nicholas Maryn were born in the Lemkivshchyna region of Ukraine and were active members in the Canadian Lemko organization, inviting many of their fellow members to Cawaja Beach as well. The community grew and developed into a holiday resort. In those early years, several priests visited, among them Rev. O. Zolkewych and Rev. I. Mykytyn. They celebrated Sunday Liturgy outdoors on the properties of the first settlers.
In the 1970's, two well-known Ukrainian-Canadian businessmen from Toronto, Mr. M. Gerus and Mr. M. Dejnega bought farmland for development at Ardmore Beach. Mr. Gerus received zoning approval in 1985 - 1986 and subdivided the farm into lots, built roads, and donated two lots for a church. He also organized a building committee, which included Mr. Bohdan Kramarchuk, Mr. Mykola Bilchak, Mr. Fred Radecky, and Mr. George Malaniuk to assist him in this project. In the meantime, Sunday Divine Liturgies were celebrated by Rev. J. Lewycky on Mr. Gerus' property and attended by about 100 persons. A discussion on the building project usually followed.
The question of whether to build a chapel or a church building was discussed. A vote was taken and a decision to go ahead with erecting a church was made. Mr. Gerus invited Toronto architect, Mr. Ihor Stecura, to design a Hutsul-style wooden church.
A fundraising campaign was put into gear. Mr. Gerus arranged for the "Four Seasons" prefab company to build sections of the church, and ordered the materials. The cost, excluding the roof was estimated at $75,000. The foundation and septic tank cost $36,000. The Church dome was contracted to Mr. Taras Haras of St. Catherines, and the electrical work was to be done by Mr. S. Holyk. The residents agreed to assemble the prefabricated church building themselves.
The fundraising campaign got off to a slow start with not enough money to pay "Four Seasons." Mr. Gerus extended a $90,000 loan, however, as work progressed, enthusiasm and excitement grew. Mr. Bilchak, in his position as treasurer of the church building committee, went from cottage to cottage to collect funds either with Mr. Gerus or Mr. Bochnewych.
The community construction force was headed by Mr. Fred Radecky and assisted by Mr. Ivan Rozylo, Mr. Jaroslaw Wojtowych, Mr. George Malaniuk, Mr. Ivan Bochnewych, Mr. Mykola Bilchak, Mr. Dmytro Smochylo, Mr. Fedir Halushka, Mr. Nicholas Maryn, Mr. Myron Tarapacky, Mr. M. Vitiuk, Mr. V. Butkevych, Mr. V. Kalenij, Mr. M. Zholkevych, Mr. Ivan Burda, Mr. F. Kopestynsky, Mr. M. Vatral, Mr. Wasyl Kalynin, Mr. R. Dankevych, Mr. Myron Gerus, and others. Mr. M. Karpynec completed the plumbing and Mr. P. Ohorodnyk built the tabernacle. In general, the community's cooperation and dedication were impressive. The goal was to complete the roof and erect the dome before winter arrived. With a little additional help, the church exterior was finished on time.
In the spring of 1989, the interior work was started and proceeded quickly. Concelebrating with many priests, Bishop Isydor Borecky officially blessed Sts. Volodymyr & Olha at Cawaja Beach in July. The celebrations continued with a banquet in Midland. Among the guests was the "Zoloti Kluchi" ("Gold Keys") Ensemble from Ukraine with the famous singer, Nina Matvienko and her husband, in attendance.
Bilchak, M
The following day, Bishop Cornelius and clergy served a Pontifical Divine Liturgy. Afterwards, parishioners and guests sat down to a traditional Ukrainian luncheon, prepared by Mrs. Julie Skally and the ladies of the parish. Following, everyone present enjoyed a concert of Ukrainian singing and delighted in the talents of the Barvinok Dance Ensemble from St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Mississauga.
Each summer, Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Parish has continued to celebrate its Praznyk on the Civic Day Holiday with a Golf Tournament and a roast suckling pig dinner on the Friday and a luncheon and concert on the Sunday.
The church continues to remain open for the small group of full-year residents throughout the calendar year. It is not only a place of worship, but also a meeting place for social gatherings. Each Sunday afternoons, a group of parishioners meets to a cup of coffee. In addition, the congregation sits down to communal dinners from time-to-time.
In April, 2006, we welcomed His Excellency Bishop Stephen Chmilar, who visited our parish. He celebrated a Pontifical Divine Liturgy. Afterwards, Mr. Myron Gerus, founder and chairman of the church council, organized a luncheon where he welcomed the new bishop to our parish and gave him a brief history of our church.
In August, 2006, Rev. Winnicky transferred to the parish in Guelph, Ontario, and Sts. Volodymyr and Olha welcomed our new pastor, Rev. Dmytro Hancharyk and his family. Father Hancharyk lives in Barrie where he is also pastor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish. In the short time he has been there, he has been instrumental in acquiring the sale of a church building in Barrie. In Cawaja, he has initiated the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts and Parastas every Friday and the prayer service, Akathist to the Divine Passion of Christ every Wednesday during the Lent, Molebens to the Mother of God in May, High Holy Day Divine Liturgies on weekdays, and a pilgrimage to Martyrs Shrine in Midland. In addition to a Divine Liturgy, he also served a Moleben for the intention of the beatification of the Servant of God, Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky in front of his memorial on the beautiful grounds. At 2007 year’s Praznyk, we were fortunate to welcome the Molodizni Ensembles who sang the Divine Liturgy under the baton of Mr. Roman Yasinsky.
The Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Church building needs constant updates and repairs. After eighteen years, the roof has bean replaced. We are grateful to the members of our parish and guests who donated to the completion of this project.
Although the original parishioners, who built the church, are aging, a younger generation is arriving in Cawaja Beach, building homes to vacation in the summer, with an eye on the future, where they can retire. We have faith that our community will prosper and continue to grow to serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the future.
Sargeant, Luba
